Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling thinks the presence of Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney could intimidate referees.
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Wrexham owners accused of intimidating refereesQuestions raised about match officials Welsh side face Wigan on SaturdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Wrexham extended their lead over third-placed Wycombe to six points after registering a convincing 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Burton last weekend. The Brewers went a man down early in the game after Charlie Webster was shown a direct red card for a high tackle on George Dobson. Despite playing with 10 men, Burton successfully managed to keep a clean sheet until the 71st minute when Sam Smith was brought down by Burton goalkeeper Max Crocombe. Steven Fletcher converted the resulting spot-kick before Smith and Jack Marriott increased the team's tally.
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Ex-Soccer Saturday presenter Stelling, however, was not satisfied with the refereeing calls as he claimed that the match official might have been intimidated by the presence of Deadpool star and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds at the stadium.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Speaking on his show on , Stelling said: "Wrexham have strengthened their hold on second place, but I have to say, I wonder if when referees go to the Racecourse Ground, they are intimidated by the crowd and the fact that there are Hollywood stars everywhere.
"Burton Albion went there at the weekend, and Seb Stockbridge was the referee. He gave an early straight red to a Burton player that was never a red card. But worse, Burton then held on for 70 minutes, and he gave a penalty when the goalkeeper was collecting the ball, and a Wrexham forward clattered into him."
He added: "It was laughable and one of the worst decisions I've ever seen in football. I just wonder whether they get carried away with the whole environment."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
The Welsh club will be back in action in League One on Saturday as they take on Wigan Athletic in a crucial away fixture.